Chapter 487 – A Brief Respite (完)

I secured a single room.

In this place, devoid of the myriad problems faced in reality, constructing a building with magic easily provides lodging for dozens of people.

Artifact management, magical security systems—such complex structures aren’t necessary for a dungeon building, making it possible to create a small city even within the tower.

“This room was originally used by a Hunter. They were recently struck by light, so they were moved to the infirmary.”
“I see.”
“Please make good use of it. If you help subdue or mobilize the surrounding monsters, we’ll grant you special privileges in various areas, such as meal distribution. Keep that in mind.”

A temporary worker from the management department shared this information with a sheepish smile.

“And, this. It’s a meal priority voucher.”
“Huh? Are you supposed to give this to me?”
“Not really, hehe.”

The young woman glanced at my face for a moment, then turned her gaze toward Ebony, who was surveying the room.

“Because there are children. Just this once, as a special exception…”
“Ah, thank you.”

I strained to meet her gaze. Her smirk, tinged with self-deprecation, was plain to see.

“Let’s have a meal together sometime.”

Her demeanor remained consistent even as she took her leave. I offered a wry smile and waved as she departed, then leaned against the wall and sat down. Clutched in my hand was her business card, which she had thrust upon me somewhat forcefully.

I wondered if she knew that I was a criminal on a global scale.

“It’s quite surprising that nobody recognizes me.”

My appearance had changed significantly. I examined my face in the small hand mirror placed in the room. Pale skin, drained of color, and disheveled hair. My frame had also altered due to changes in height and muscle, making it more difficult to recognize me at first glance.

During the height of my pursuit, I had changed my face every time.

The information about his true face dated back to his academy days when he wore a mask, making the disparity even more significant when taken into account.

I removed my Black Dragon robe and donned a navy blue turtleneck, inverting an infusion mask over my face. An artificial visage was superimposed upon the artifact that seeped into my skin. It always appeared natural, no matter when I looked at it.

“Sir.”

“What?”

Ebony, seated by the bedside, called out to me.

“Here, there’s a lot of tissues.”

Curious as to the reason, I noticed heaps of tissues rolled into balls piled up in the corners of the shabby bed. It seemed that the hunter who had lived here before had been quite lonely.

“Don’t touch them.”

I swatted away Ebony’s reaching hand and dealt with the tissues appropriately using magic.

“We’ll be staying here for a while, so bear that in mind.”

I firmly placed several ration coupons I had just received into Ebony’s hand.

There was much to investigate, and I had to do it on my own two feet. That sweet dream – no matter how I thought about it, the Tower’s intentions were involved.

A trap in the form of the king’s granted power. Why couldn’t people awaken from their dreams? As I knew nothing yet, it was necessary for me to act as a member of this makeshift society for the time being.

“So, what about the training?” Ebony asked.

“I’ll keep a close eye on you. But for now… hold on a moment.”

My words were cut off, as an unusual presence had been detected within the magical energy I had spread out as a precaution.

Someone was racing towards this building from a distance. Could it be that employee from earlier? Cautiously distinguishing the magic, I was soon left with goosebumps.

A shimmering mass of golden light. The majestic magical circuit that extended to the chest – to my knowledge, there was only one person it could belong to: Cornus.

I hadn’t seen her since our separation, but I was all too familiar with her unique magical traits.

“Danah.”

“Yes?”
“I’ll step out for a moment.”

As I think about it, not only were Se-Young and Star involved in the assault on the tower, but the ‘hunters’ as well.
Cornus’s ability to detect magical power is at its pinnacle.
Facing them in the current situation, where the king’s power has been lost, is a headache. If I were to make a mistake, I could be defeated.

I held the Black Dragon in one arm and, without hesitation, threw myself out of the window.

*Whoosh!*

Bang! I heard the door opening from within the room.

“…Eek!”

Ebony was caught off guard and turned her head.
Apologies, but I don’t have time to explain.
Nevertheless, Ebony is quite perceptive, so I can only hope she quickly understands the situation and acts nonchalantly.

I suppress my magical energy and completely erase any trace of my presence.
With resolve, even Cornus wouldn’t be able to detect me.

Floating in the blind spot beneath the window using magic, I eavesdropped on the conversation above.

“Excuse me.”
“Who… who are you?”

Clip-clop, clip-clop. Sansuyu walked from the door, opened the window, and took a sweeping look around the city.

“….”
“…?”

Her heart raced.
Ebony appeared in Sansuyu’s view as she quickly turned around.

– Giggle.

“…No, it’s not?”

Sansuyu’s distinctly soft, round, and gentle voice left no doubt.
Ebony froze, unsure of what to do. Soon enough, Sansuyu pressed her face against Ebony.

“Sniff, sniff.”

Though her mana was completely withdrawn, making it difficult to see, a vivid picture formed in her mind.
Sansuyu and Ebony were embracing each other tightly.
A massive retriever was gripping their precious Jindo dog firmly, tormenting it.

“…Who are you?”
“Comfortable scent… But… no.”
“Ah, sir….”

Ebony’s voice, like a mouse disappearing into a hole, pleaded for help, but there was nothing I could do.
I felt regret as their inadequate teacher.

‘Stay strong, Ebony.’

“Sniff, sniff.”
“…!!!?!!”

Ebony, her face buried between the two breasts, struggles.
Cornus indulged in pleasuring Ebony for quite some time, and then went back outside the door.

“…”

All I could see was the somber back of Cornus, and the sprawled body of Ebony, who had been ravished once.

“Ebony.”
“…Who is that person…?”

Ebony asked with a drained expression.
I hesitated for a moment, then replied with a bitter smile.

“A friend of mine.”

* * * * * * * * * * *

“Se-Young.”
“Yeah.”
“What should we do with the yellow one? It’s been like that for a week already.”

Haru was searching for clues about the strange light.
Unable to bear it any longer, Byul sought Se-Young’s help.

It was because the ‘hunter’, who had been so reliable during the attack, sat in the corner like a heartbroken child.

“Hey, Yellow.”
“…”

The ‘hunter’ stared out the window, silently showing his back. It seemed as if he was waiting for something.

Come to think of it, a week ago, he had suddenly mumbled something about sensing a familiar energy.

“Leave him be.”
“How can you say that? He’s one of us, Yellow.”

Big Yellow, Little Yellow. Byeol, who was responsible for Little Yellow at Yellow’s, looked at the ‘hunter’ with a worried expression.

“If there’s a problem, you should tell us. That’s the only way we can help you solve it or not, right?”
“…Mmm.”
“Se-Young, don’t you have any sympathy?”
“I have my own matters to attend to.”

After Se-Young closed the entrance to the tower, she had been reading all the reports about ‘Sweet Dreams’ that had been submitted thus far.

“The dream might be related to the king’s trials. Given the timing, we have no choice but to assault the tower, and getting involved with the king is inevitable.”
“Speaking of which, you’ve met the king before, right?”
“Yes.”
“How was it?”
“I believe I mentioned it before, but it was just…”

*Pause* – the hand stops.
Se-Young, recalling the king’s face, slightly furrowed her brows.
The memories from that time… it seemed only fear remained.
Even when she met Mugung, she had never experienced such an oppressive presence.

“…I’m not quite sure either.”

Lee Si-heon passed away without ascending from the prospective King Mokryeong position.
Nonetheless, when the second King Mokryeong was born, there was a glimmer of hope.

Could it be that Lee Si-heon didn’t die and instead became the king?
Having a forced encounter with the king, despite risking his life, was a conclusion that encompassed such hidden circumstances.
Well, even that hope was quickly extinguished.

Se-Young chuckled and sighed as she organized the reports.

Although I couldn’t grasp it just yet, I believed that if I persistently searched for a few days, I would eventually find the answer.

“……”

‘The Hunter’ continued to stare out the window. The star then asked,

“So, can you figure it out?”
“Solving it is unlikely.”

It was uncertain whether it was even possible to discern what this was. It was already an indisputable fact that the king had entered the tower. Perhaps he could be roaming this city at this very moment.

We had previously met as the leader of the ‘Crows.’ If we were to meet again, it would be as enemies. There was a chance we might be subjected to unspeakable horrors.

Se-Young cleared her throat and rose from her seat. Her mind was filled with various thoughts, and she decided to go on a patrol to catch her breath. Perhaps she could even find a clue about the sweet dream.

“Do you want to come along?”
“No… today was really tough.”

At Se-Young’s invitation, the star clung tightly to the floor and vigorously shook its head.

“Take care~”

That’s the leader of the Korean Hunter Association.
I can’t help but wonder if it’s because we’re friends; no matter how hard I think about it, I just can’t understand.

“Then I’ll go alone.”
“Alright!”

Se-young dressed simply and ran outside.

*Huff, huff.*

A simple jog.

The hastily constructed downtown area atop the tower had a distinct smell of people living there. It might seem odd to say that modern buildings exhibit a medieval lifestyle.

A hunter who had defeated a monster passes by Se-young. Occasionally, there were people who showed goodwill tinged with ulterior motives, but whenever that happened, Se-young would harden her gaze and express her refusal.

‘Is it around here?’

The place where Se-young, lightly jogging in repetition, stopped was the fourth building built in the city. Just yesterday, news had arrived that a strange light had been discovered here.

*Knock, knock, knock.*

She stood in front of the building and knocked.

Soon, a man emerged from the open door with a face full of irritation.

“Oh, why again?”

The hunter, clad in leather, scrunched up his face as if he were furious. However, upon seeing Se-Young’s face, his anger appeared to dissipate, and he asked timidly.

“Uh. What’s going on?”

“I came from the association, and they said that light was observed around here.”

“Oh, the light…? Sigh. Why do you keep asking about that?”

Hunter’s face brightened for a moment, but upon hearing the word ‘light,’ he let out a sigh as if releasing pent-up steam. Se-Young narrowed her eyes.

“Has anyone else asked besides me?”

Se-Young was the only one conducting research on ‘light’ in this area. It would have been difficult to know that light had been discovered here, considering it was only early morning yesterday.

“…Yes, well, just now. Oh, there he is.”

Hunter pointed with his hand, revealing an exceptionally tall man standing out from the crowd. Se-Young turned her head and took in the sight of the man.

“Huh.”

At the sudden sense of familiarity, her shoulders shuddered.

A stranger, yet exuding a recognizable atmosphere. Dressed in dark colors, tall, and somehow, radiating an imposing presence. Despite the familiar ambiance, the unknown face brought about an even greater sense of dissonance.

‘This feeling… could it be?’

The King. Se-Young’s mind raced with thoughts. It was true that the King had entered the tower, and wandering around it was indeed a possibility. This sensation was anything but ordinary. It was strikingly similar to what Se-Young had felt when she first confronted him alone as the leader of the crows.

However, the face was different.

‘…’

Se-Young’s head cooled, and her mind whirred into action. A different face, yet the same aura. If it were true that this person was the King, then it meant the King could change his appearance and physique.

‘Baekyang.’
【…Yes.】

And so…

The image of the king that Se-Young witnessed might not be genuine.
This implies that the slight possibility of King Lee Si-heon has resurfaced once more.

Verification is necessary.
Power emanates from Se-Young’s body.

‘I need strength.’

Se-Young, having quickly made a decision, spoke to Baekyang.

‘Slow down time, please.’

【Understood.】

The silhouette of a black clock materialized behind Se-Young’s back.